The Cross River State House of Assembly is taking bold steps to end the exploitation of tenants in Calabar and beyond — as lawmakers move to ban housing agents accused of inflating rent prices across the state.
During Tuesday’s plenary, Hon. Davies Etta (Abi State Constituency) raised a motion condemning what he described as “unreasonable, unprovoked, and economically destabilizing” rent hikes, often influenced by greedy agents and landlords.
Etta revealed that in Calabar:
📍 A self-contained room on Marian Road now costs up to ₦1.5 million per year.
📍 One-bedroom flats in Calabar South go for ₦800k – ₦1 million.
📍 In areas like Parliamentary Extension and State Housing, rents reach ₦2 million+ for small apartments.
He slammed landlords for forcing tenants to pay two years’ rent upfront and evicting those who can’t meet rising demands — calling the trend “heartless and socially dangerous.”
The lawmaker urged the Assembly to create a rental regulation framework and empower the Ministry of Housing to monitor and control rent practices.
In response, Speaker Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem praised the motion, saying it’s “timely and people-centered,” and vowed that the 10th Assembly will continue to make laws that protect citizens and ensure fair, affordable housing.
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